Israel – Iran War Update
Operation Rising Lion
Light of Zion Ministries
“The Lord will roar from Zion…” (Joel 3:16)
“Behold, a people rises up like a lioness
and lifts itself up like a lion.” (Numbers 23:24)
It finally happened. In the middle of last night, Israel struck a devastating military blow to Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and top commanders. While the battle has just begun, early results seem miraculous. There is much to report and share with you, but a great deal of information is already publicly posted and accessible online.
Early indications reflect the hand and intervention of God, both in the attacks themselves, and in the defense of our nation against Iran’s attempted counter assault.
We praise and thank our King for early victory! But we know the escalated battle has only just begun. The entire country remains in the highest level of alert. Further retaliation by Iran is expected. Please continue praying into the fast developing situation.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Netanyahu made a rare visit to the Western Wall in order to pray. He left a handwritten note petitioning for Israel to rise up and be strong. We see his public turn to God (at whatever depth) as an answer to our prayers and are grateful.
Awakened by emergency sirens at 3 am Israel time, I experienced no more than 2 hours sleep last night. So rather than recount, in my drowsy condition, what you may already know, below is a full report from a mainstream source to which not many of you likely subscribe. The Wall Street Journal is usually very accurate and surprisingly quite reliable in its reporting on Israel.
“Trump Warns Iran of Even More Brutal Attacks Without Nuclear Deal”
The Wall Street Journal, October 13, 2025
“Israel launched more attacks against Iran, hours after wide-ranging strikes on the country’s nuclear program and military leadership. The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed and dozens of targets were hit in an operation that pushes the region into a new conflict with uncertain consequences.
“President Trump urged Iran’s leadership to make a deal ‘before there is nothing left,’ saying that Israel had access to lethal military equipment manufactured by the U.S. and that ‘they know how to use it.’
“Two hundred jet fighters wrapped up the first wave of the attack, Israel said. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel ‘should expect severe punishment’ for the strikes. Israel said it had started shooting down drones launched in a retaliation by Iran.
“Here’s what to know:
“IRGC commander Hossein Salami and two other generals were killed, punching a deep hole in Tehran’s military leadership.
“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military operation would last “as many days as it takes.” Israel planned 14 days of operations, a senior Israeli official said.
“Long before Israel’s attacks, [Mossad] agents smuggled explosive drones and other guided weapons into Iran, an official said.
“Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz decided Monday that the attack would begin Friday local time, an official said.
“. . . The majority of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air force leadership was killed, according to defense minister Israel Katz. . . . “
Minute-by minute updates in English are accessible on the text message app “Telegram,” among others. I suggest Israel Realtime, Israel Today, Jewish Breaking News, All Israel News, Amir Tsarfati, and Israel Live News. Be discerning. Some of these clearly distinguish between partially or fully verified reports and rumors; others do not. There is a significant fog of war not always disclosed, even in well-intentioned, biblically oriented social media.
The assigned prophetic portion of Scripture to be read in synagogues around the world this Shabbat includes these highly appropriate verses:
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘He has sent Me after glory to the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me’.” (Zechariah 2:8-9)
“‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts’.” (Zechariah 4:6)
In Messiah’s Shalom – and with gratitude for your ongoing intercession,
Sandra Teplinsky
Light of Zion is an Israeli ministry that exists due to the gracious financial and prayer support of donors in the nations. We are a US 501 C 3 organization, donations to which are fully tax deductible in America. Light of Zion is also a member of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability.